A 23-year-old Douglas man has been sentenced to probation and community service after punching a man twice at a petrol station.

Edward Robert James McBride, of Marathon Drive, admitted affray and was also banned from entering licensed premises and buying or being sold alcohol for six months.

He must also pay £250 compensation to his victim.

We previously reported that McBride was in a car at the EVF garage on Peel Road in Douglas on September 2 with another man and woman.

Two other men were on the forecourt and McBride was said to have got out of the vehicle and approached one of them.

He then punched the man in the face causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.

The victim was helped up by another man but there was then said to have been a further altercation during which McBride again struck the same man, this time from behind, sending him to the ground again.

The whole incident was captured on the garage’s CCTV and McBride was later found and arrested at his home.

When interviewed he gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that his client had significant mental health problems but had not been diagnosed with any condition, which he said was extremely worrying.

’Probation can assist him in engaging with mental health services.

’He didn’t remember what happened but has pleaded guilty.’

Mr Rodgers said that McBride had been drinking and taking drugs before the incident but now had an offer of employment.

Magistrates sentenced McBride to 12 months’ probation and ordered him to do 120 hours’ unpaid work but warned him that, had it not been for his early guilty plea, they would have sent him to custody.

He must also pay £125 prosecution costs and will pay all the amounts at a rate of £10 per week.